The primary reason why the South lost the Civil War was because of their insistence upon retaining democratic liberties during wartime. The Union’s victory was then achieved because of their ability to suppress certain liberties for the greater good of the people. For instance, the Southern soldiers were disobedient and overconfident because the little guy had been able to achieve amazing victories in previous wars. However, the South lacked the leadership that allowed for the militarial feats to occur. Another example is that the South kept freedom of speech and allowed news papers to slander the South as well as publicize their military plans and strategies. Due to overconfident soldiers and the preservation …show more content…
They looked at Caesar, Hannibal, Alexander, Turenne and Frederick the Great as examples of forces that were able to win despite the odds being stacked against them. (Military Leadership of North and South) However, they did not make the necessary sacrifices that it would have taken to win the war and did not have the brilliant leaders that had allowed Caesar and the others to win. The North did not have incredible military leaders either, but they were still more competent and experienced. One of the generals, Sherman, was positive that they had an advantage over the South with regard to who had the better leaders. Sherman once blurted out to a fellow officer: "I am a damned sight smarter than Grant; I know a great deal more about war, military history, strategy and grand tactics than he does....” (Military Leadership of North and South) Sherman recognized that the Northern military leaders were smarter and knew what it would take to win the Civil war. The Northern leaders were smart enough to prohibit freedom of speech and other liberties to keep the soldiers obedient and disciplined. They won the war due to the superiority of the Northern leaders and their ability to suspend certain liberties, the advantage that allowed the little guy to win in the past, that the South